4 replies to this topic

[FelixTheAnter]

Hi guys. I have about 100 queens and small colonies caught last fall, all in test tubes. I've found that even though I'm putting test tubes 1/2 to 2/3 full of water, they dry out quickly. Any way to slow down how fast they dry out? How do people that collect/sell large numbers of colonies handle this?

Thanks guys! Photo included of a cute little Lasius Niger queen that kept her wings

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[ZTYguy]

I suggest substituting your normal cotton balls out for blue pva sponges. They are highly water absorbent and release water slower then a typical cotton ball. Also do you have a fan or heavy AC unit going. If the climate of the room they are in is dry it will dry your nests and tubes out faster then a climate that is humid. You can possibly get a small humidifier that can keep humidity in the space up and that will slow water depletion significantly.

[ANTdrew]

Glass tubes tend to lose water slower than plastic ones as well.

[Lazarus]

The rate of evaporation also depends on the tightness of the cotton stopper at the end of your tube. If they are drying out as fast as you say I suspect you are not packing in enough cotton as a stopper.

[UberDuber]

How quick is too quickly? I use cheapo plastic test tubes and they last maybe 3 months before they start getting low on water or get mold. I use extra large cotton balls, so they are fairly tight-packed.

 

Also, are you heating these test tubes? If so, make sure to heat the end by the stopper and less water will evaporate.

 

For your colonies that have workers, are you providing a water source in an outworld? If you provide easy access water, it could help prevent the workers from using the test tube water.